scholarly journals Identification and Characterization ofpptA: a Gene Involved in the Phase-Variable Expression ofPhosphorylcholine on Pili of Neisseriameningitidis

2003 ◽  
Vol 71 (12) ◽  
pp. 6892-6898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Warren ◽  
Michael P. Jennings
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Phase Variation ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Phase Variable ◽  
Dna Transformation ◽  
Twitching Motility ◽  
Variable Expression ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Identification And Characterization ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT Pili of pathogenic Neisseria are major virulence factors associated with adhesion, cytotoxicity, twitching motility, autoaggregation, and DNA transformation. Pili are modified posttranslationally by the addition of phosphorylcholine. However, no genes involved in either the biosynthesis or the transfer of phosphorylcholine in Neisseria meningitidis have been identified. In this study, we identified five candidate open reading frames (ORFs) potentially involved in the biosynthesis or transfer of phosphorylcholine to pilin in N. meningitidis. Insertional mutants were constructed for each ORF in N. meningitidis strain C311#3 to determine their effect on phosphorylcholine expression. The effect of the mutant ORFs on the modification by phosphorylcholine was analyzed by Western analysis with phosphorylcholine-specific monoclonal antibody TEPC-15. Analysis of the mutants showed that ORF NMB0415, now defined as pptA (pilin phosphorylcholine transferase A), is involved in the addition of phosphorylcholine to pilin in N. meningitidis. Additionally, the phase variation (high frequency on-off switching of expression) of phosphorylcholine on pilin is due to changes in a homopolymeric guanosine tract in pptA.

scholarly journals Coupled Phase-Variable Expression and Epitope Masking of Selective Surface Lipoproteins Increase Surface Phenotypic Diversity in Mycoplasma hominis

2001 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 5177-5181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qijing Zhang ◽  
Kim S. Wise
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Protein ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Phase Variation ◽  
Mycoplasma Hominis ◽  
Phase Variable ◽  
Variable Expression ◽  
Adaptive Capabilities ◽  
Frequency Phase

ABSTRACT A new mechanism expanding mycoplasmal surface diversity is described. Exposure of surface epitopes on a constitutively expressed membrane protein (P56) of Mycoplasma hominis was subject to high-frequency phase variation due to phase-variable expression of the P120 antigen and its selective masking of P56 epitopes. Phase-variable masking may confer previously unrealized adaptive capabilities on mycoplasmas.

scholarly journals Elucidation of the Monoclonal Antibody 5G8-Reactive, Virulence-Associated Lipopolysaccharide Epitope of Haemophilus influenzae and Its Role in Bacterial Resistance to Complement-Mediated Killing

2005 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 2213-2221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Griffin ◽  
Andrew D. Cox ◽  
Katherine Makepeace ◽  
James C. Richards ◽  
E. Richard Moxon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Haemophilus Influenzae ◽  
Bacterial Resistance ◽  
Inner Core ◽  
Phase Variation ◽  
Phase Variable ◽  
Type B ◽  
Variable Expression ◽  
Virulent Type ◽  
Unknown Structure

ABSTRACT The phase-variable locus lex2 is required for expression of a Haemophilus influenzae lipopolysaccharide (LPS) epitope of previously unknown structure. This epitope, which is reactive with monoclonal antibody (MAb) 5G8, has been associated with virulence of type b strains. When strain RM118 (from the same source as strain Rd), in which the lex2 locus and MAb 5G8 reactivity are absent, was transformed with lex2 DNA, transformants that were reactive with MAb 5G8 were obtained. Surprisingly, the 5G8 reactivity of these transformants was phase variable, although the lex2 locus lacked tetrameric repeats and was constitutively expressed. This phase variation was shown to be the result of phase-variable expression of phosphorylcholine (PCho) such that MAb 5G8 reacted only in the absence of PCho. Structural analysis showed that, compared to RM118, the lex2 transformant had acquired a tetrasaccharide, Gal-α1,4-Gal-β1,4-Glc-β1,4-Glc-β1,4, linked to the proximal heptose (HepI). A terminal GalNAc was detected in a minority of glycoforms. LPS derived from a mutant of RM7004, a virulent type b strain which naturally expresses lex2 and has LPS containing the same tetrasaccharide linked to HepI as the sole oligosaccharide extension from the inner core, confirmed that GalNAc is not a part of the MAb 5G8-reactive epitope. Thus, MAb 5G8 specifically binds to the structure Gal-α1,4-Gal-β1,4-Glc-β1,4-Glc-β attached via a 1,4 linkage to HepI of H. influenzae LPS, and we show that the ability to synthesize this novel tetrasaccharide was associated with enhanced bacterial resistance to complement-mediated killing.

scholarly journals Functional-Genomics-Based Identification and Characterization of Open Reading Frames Encoding α-Glucoside-Processing Enzymes in the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus

2007 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 1281-1283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald A. Comfort ◽  
Chung-Jung Chou ◽  
Shannon B. Conners ◽  
Amy L. VanFossen ◽  
Robert M. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Glycoside Hydrolase ◽  
Bioinformatics Analysis ◽  
Pyrococcus Furiosus ◽  
Transcriptional Response ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Processing Enzymes ◽  
Response Information ◽  
Identification And Characterization ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT Bioinformatics analysis and transcriptional response information for Pyrococcus furiosus grown on α-glucans led to the identification of a novel isomaltase (PF0132) representing a new glycoside hydrolase (GH) family, a novel GH57 β-amylase (PF0870), and an extracellular starch-binding protein (1,141 amino acids; PF1109-PF1110), in addition to several other putative α-glucan-processing enzymes.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of a Novel Robigovirus Species from Sweet Cherry in Turkey

Pathogens ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kadriye Çağlayan ◽  
Vahid Roumi ◽  
Mona Gazel ◽  
Eminur Elçi ◽  
Mehtap Acioğlu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Sweet Cherry ◽  
Prunus Avium ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Cherry Tree ◽  
Coding Regions ◽  
Sweet Cherries ◽  
Identification And Characterization ◽  
Reading Frames

High throughput sequencing of total RNA isolated from symptomatic leaves of a sweet cherry tree (Prunus avium cv. 0900 Ziraat) from Turkey identified a new member of the genus Robigovirus designated cherry virus Turkey (CVTR). The presence of the virus was confirmed by electron microscopy and overlapping RT-PCR for sequencing its whole-genome. The virus has a ssRNA genome of 8464 nucleotides which encodes five open reading frames (ORFs) and comprises two non-coding regions, 5′ UTR and 3′ UTR of 97 and 296 nt, respectively. Compared to the five most closely related robigoviruses, RdRp, TGB1, TGB2, TGB3 and CP share amino acid identities ranging from 43–53%, 44–60%, 39–43%, 38–44% and 45–50%, respectively. Unlike the four cherry robigoviruses, CVTR lacks ORFs 2a and 5a. Its genome organization is therefore more similar to African oil palm ringspot virus (AOPRV). Using specific primers, the presence of CVTR was confirmed in 15 sweet cherries and two sour cherries out of 156 tested samples collected from three regions in Turkey. Among them, five samples were showing slight chlorotic symptoms on the leaves. It seems that CVTR infects cherry trees with or without eliciting obvious symptoms, but these data should be confirmed by bioassays in woody and possible herbaceous hosts in future studies.

scholarly journals The Moraxella catarrhalis Immunoglobulin D-Binding Protein MID Has Conserved Sequences and Is Regulated by a Mechanism Corresponding to Phase Variation

2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (7) ◽  
pp. 2285-2295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Möllenkvist ◽  
Therése Nordström ◽  
Christer Halldén ◽  
Jens Jørgen Christensen ◽  
Arne Forsgren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Moraxella Catarrhalis ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Phase Variation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Peptide Sequence ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Signal Peptide Sequence ◽  
Immunoglobulin D ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT The prevalence of the Moraxella catarrhalis immunoglobulin D (IgD)-binding outer membrane protein MID and its gene was determined in 91 clinical isolates and in 7 culture collection strains. Eighty-four percent of the clinical Moraxella strains expressed MID-dependent IgD binding. The mid gene was detected in all strains as revealed by homology of the signal peptide sequence and a conserved area in the 3′ end of the gene. When MID proteins from five different strains were compared, an identity of 65.3 to 85.0% and a similarity of 71.2 to 89.1% were detected. Gene analyses showed several amino acid repeat motifs in the open reading frames, and MID could be called a putative autotransport protein. Interestingly, homopolymeric {polyguanine [poly(G)]} tracts were detected at the 5′ ends within the open reading frames. By flow cytometry, using human IgD and fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated anti-IgD polyclonal antibodies, most strains showed two peaks: one high- and one low-intensity peak. All isolates expressing high levels of MID had 1, 2, or 3 triplets of G's in their poly(G) tracts, while strains not expressing MID had 4, 7, 8, or 10 G’s in their poly(G) tracts or point mutations causing a putative preterminated translation. Northern blot analysis revealed that the mid gene was regulated at the transcriptional level. Experiments with nonclumping variants of M. catarrhalis proved that bacteria lost their MID expression by removing a G in their poly(G) tracts. Moraxella strains isolated from the nasopharynx or from blood and sputum specimens expressed MID at approximately the same frequency. In addition, no variation was observed between strains of different geographical origins (Australia, Europe, Japan, or the United States). MID and the mid gene were found solely in M. catarrhalis, whereas related Neisseria and Moraxella species did not express MID. Taken together, MID appears to be a conserved protein that can be found in essentially all M. catarrhalis strains. Furthermore, MID is governed by poly(G) tracts when bacteria undergo phase variation.

scholarly journals Phase-Variable Expression of an Operon Encoding Extracellular Alkaline Protease, a Serine Protease Homolog, and Lipase in Pseudomonas brassicacearum

2001 ◽  
Vol 183 (6) ◽  
pp. 2117-2120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Chabeaud ◽  
Arjan de Groot ◽  
Wilbert Bitter ◽  
Jan Tommassen ◽  
Thierry Heulin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serine Protease ◽  
Lipase Activity ◽  
Alkaline Protease ◽  
Phase Variation ◽  
Extracellular Protease ◽  
Type I ◽  
Phase Variable ◽  
Gene Fusions ◽  
Variable Expression ◽  
Pseudomonas Brassicacearum

ABSTRACT The rhizobacterium Pseudomonas brassicacearum forms phenotypic variants which do not show extracellular protease and lipase activity. The operon encoding these enzymes, a serine protease homolog, and a type I secretion machinery was characterized. Transcriptional lacZ gene fusions revealed that the expression of the operon is under the control of phase variation.

scholarly journals Sequences required for expression of Bordetella pertussis virulence factors share homology with prokaryotic signal transduction proteins

1989 ◽  
Vol 86 (17) ◽  
pp. 6671-6675 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Aricó ◽  
J F Miller ◽  
C Roy ◽  
S Stibitz ◽  
D Monack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bordetella Pertussis ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Sensory Transduction ◽  
Regulatory Proteins ◽  
Environmental Signals ◽  
Coordinate Regulation ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Signal Transduction Proteins ◽  
Insertion Mutations ◽  
Reading Frames

The bvg locus of Bordetella pertussis is required for coordinate regulation of several factors associated with virulence. The control system is modulated by various environmental signals, including low temperature, MgSO4, and nicotinic acid. The nucleotide sequence of the bvg region has been determined and three open reading frames, bvgA, bvgB, and bvgC, are present. Twelve-base-pair linker insertion mutations in any of these open reading frames result in a Bvg- phenotype. The predicted protein products of bvgA and bvgC share homology with a family of prokaryotic regulatory proteins that respond to environmental stimuli and are members of two-component sensory transduction systems. We propose a model in which BvgB and the N-terminal portion of BvgC are localized in the periplasm. Environmental signals are recognized, transduced to the cytoplasmic portion of BvgC, and then transmitted to BvgA, a positive regulator of transcription.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of a Gene Cluster for Synthesis of the Polyketide Antibiotic 2,4-Diacetylphloroglucinol from Pseudomonas fluorescens Q2-87

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (10) ◽  
pp. 3155-3163 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gita Bangera ◽  
Linda S. Thomashow
Keyword(s):  
Genomic Dna ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Polyketide Synthase ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Fungal Plant Pathogens ◽  
Repressor Proteins ◽  
Flanking Regions ◽  
Identification And Characterization ◽  
Reading Frames

The polyketide metabolite 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG) is produced by many strains of fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. with biocontrol activity against soilborne fungal plant pathogens. Genes required for 2,4-DAPG synthesis by P. fluorescensQ2-87 are encoded by a 6.5-kb fragment of genomic DNA that can transfer production of 2,4-DAPG to 2,4-DAPG-nonproducing recipientPseudomonas strains. In this study the nucleotide sequence was determined for the 6.5-kb fragment and flanking regions of genomic DNA from strain Q2-87. Six open reading frames were identified, four of which (phlACBD) comprise an operon that includes a set of three genes (phlACB) conserved between eubacteria and archaebacteria and a gene (phlD) encoding a polyketide synthase with homology to chalcone and stilbene synthases from plants. The biosynthetic operon is flanked on either side by phlEand phlF, which code respectively for putative efflux and regulatory (repressor) proteins. Expression in Escherichia coli of phlA, phlC, phlB, andphlD, individually or in combination, identified a novel polyketide biosynthetic pathway in which PhlD is responsible for the production of monoacetylphloroglucinol (MAPG). PhlA, PhlC, and PhlB are necessary to convert MAPG to 2,4-DAPG, and they also may function in the synthesis of MAPG.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of Phytoplasmal Genes, Employing a Novel Method of Isolating Phytoplasmal Genomic DNA

2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (22) ◽  
pp. 6513-6521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Melamed ◽  
Edna Tanne ◽  
Raz Ben-Haim ◽  
Orit Edelbaum ◽  
David Yogev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genomic Dna ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Unique Method ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Identification And Characterization ◽  
Reading Frames ◽  
Large Background

ABSTRACT Phytoplasmas are unculturable, insect-transmissible plant pathogens belonging to the class Mollicutes. To be transmitted, the phytoplasmas replicate in the insect body and are delivered to the insect's salivary glands, from where they are injected into the recipient plant. Because phytoplasmas cannot be cultured, any attempt to recover phytoplasmal DNA from infected plants or insects has resulted in preparations with a large background of host DNA. Thus, studies of the phytoplasmal genome have been greatly hampered, and aside from the rRNA genes, only a few genes have hitherto been isolated and characterized. We developed a unique method to obtain host-free phytoplasmal genomic DNA from the insect vector's saliva, and we demonstrated the feasibility of this method by isolating and characterizing 78 new putative phytoplasmal open reading frames and their deduced proteins. Based on the newly accumulated information on phytoplasmal genes, preliminary characteristics of the phytoplasmal genome are discussed.

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